How To Replace and Install an ATV or UTV Bumper

Many ATVs come with no protection for the front end other than a plastic fascia. When that unprotected front end gets introduced to a tree trunk or boulder or the front end of another ATV the resulting impact could cost you hundreds if not thousands of dollars in damage.

An ATV front bumper is an inexpensive quick fix to solve your exposure to front-end damage. Usually made from aluminum or aluminum alloy tubing, ATV bumpers come in a variety of shapes and sizes custom-designed to your model with either a chrome or black finish. Typically priced between $50 and $100 an ATV bumper is an inexpensive dose of preventive medicine for your ride.

• ATV bumper kit
• Ratchet
• Sockets: 10mm, 12mm, 7/16"
• Allen wrench 5 mm

Every brand will have its own configuration for mounting a bumper but as a rule, they are all similar to the steps we show below. We picked a 2004 Honda Rancher as an example because it is one of the easiest installs of all. Obviously, the bigger utility ATVs will have heavier bumpers and a more complex mounting process.

Preparation for mounting a bumper on the Rancher simply consists of opening the package and assuring that all the parts are present. There will be a list of parts included in the install instructions. Familiarize yourself with the parts and then have at it.

1. Locate the two fasteners that secure the plastic fascia to the bottom rack of the ATV and remove them. You can toss these fasteners as they will be replaced by kit hardware.
2. Below the fascia fastener locations and on the side are two bolts that hold the skidpan in place. Remove these and keep them handy as you will use them again in the install.
3. The bumper mounting bracket will be mounted on the fascia using the two locations that you removed bolts from earlier. Secure the mounting bracket with the two 6mm x 1.0mm x 25mm bolt and 1/4” lock washers supplied in the kit. Torque these bolts down to 7 ft-lb.
4. Place the bumper onto the mounting bracket and install the two 1/4-20 x .75” bolts supplied in the kit. Do not tighten the bolts at this time.
5. Reinstall the bolts securing the skid pan and torque to 16 ft-lb. Tighten the bumper fastners to the mount and torque to 5 ft-lb.
6. Your new ATV bumper is now installed.

With the front bumper in place, you can ride aggressively with the confidence that if you do hit an obstacle your front end is not going to cave in snapping axles along the way. We can't guarantee that you won't dent up the bumper but that beats the alternative by a mile.

- End of Procedure -

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